CYCLING DAY 27 Helmsdale - Wick 36 miles 15.6.2011

We first drove early in the morning to Helmsdale. Parked the van at the station then set off on the bike from Helmsdale in very good weather. The first 5 miles was just climbing up on winding hills. Long dragging hills. At Berriedale we had a very long descent, followed by climbing yet again and this time it was a corkscrew hill. The reward of all this are the stunning views you get. It is just awesome. From Berriedale the terrain became flatter and we progressed well. At Laidha Croft Museum we stopped for refreshments and met up with fellow cyclists. All the time now we overtake or are overtaken by endtoenders. All follow the same path and greetings like: “See you there”, “Not long now”, “See you at the top” are common expressions for reaching that same goal.
We passed Lybster and are surprised to see so many derelict buildings and houses, very sad but I suppose if there is not much work, then there won’t be folk living here. We reached Wick early afternoon and then had to go back by train to Helmsdale to pick up the van. The train ride was something else..out of this world..never seen such desolate surroundings, where herd of deers were roaming and not a person to be seen. That was a real treat. The train first had to go to Thurso, than back and continue over the moors back to Helmsdale. Big day tomorrow!